Jedd Fisch said Arizona’s plan for the transfer portal this offseason was “only going to try and bring in guys that can really help us at this point in time, because I like the commitment that the team we have here has made. ... We’re going to treat it for the 2023 season and see what we could do there, if we’re going to dive into the portal.”
The UA dove into the portal and dug up two interior defensive linemen. The latest one: Taylor Upshaw, a former edge rusher at Michigan who spent the spring playing for Colorado before entering the portal again. Upshaw pledged to the Wildcats on Twitter Thursday night. In four seasons at Michigan, Upshaw recorded 38 tackles, 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.
The 6-4, 255-pound Upshaw, a Bradenton, Florida, native, is the second addition to the UA’s defensive line since the conclusion of spring practice on April 15. Arizona also recently added former Indiana defensive tackle Sio Nofoagatoto’a.
The Wildcats previously added defensive tackles Bill Norton (Georgia) and Tyler Manoa (UCLA), plus edge rusher Orin Patu (Cal). Arizona also returns promising underclassmen in defensive tackles Tai’ita’i Uiagalelei and Jacob Kongaika, along with defensive ends Russell Davis II and Sterling Lane II. Tiaoalii Savea, a former UCLA defensive tackle, is entering his second season with the Wildcats.
All seven of Arizona’s current transfer portal additions for 2023 are front-six defenders. The Wildcats also added ex-high school All-American linebacker Justin Flowe (Oregon) and former four-star linebacker Daniel Heimuli (Washington).
Arizona also hosted former Oregon cornerback Jalil Tucker for an official visit this week.
Arizona finished spring practice after hosting its annual spring game on Saturday at Arizona Stadium. Wildcats head coach Jedd Fisch recapped the spring and talked about the "halftime" of the offseason.
